Bible Story: Nehemiah and the Wall (Nehemiah 1 2; 6:15-16; 12:27,43) Bible Phrase: Trust in the Lord and do what is good (Psalm 37:3). Bible Truth: When I trust God He will show the right thing to do. Old Testament Unit 12: Prophets and Esther Lesson 3: Nehemiah and Wall God s Unfolding Story 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. Suggested Schedule: Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Certainly the Book of Nehemiah presents a lesson on leadership, but it offers much more. Nehemiah is about the call to leadership and the courage to respond. It showcases teamwork. Perhaps most importantly, it reveals God s faithfulness and sovereignty as He worked to restore His children from the inside out. Nehemiah was a Jew who probably lived comfortably as the cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes. Yet he was stirred out of his comfort zone when his brother brought news of Jerusalem s desolate condition. Nehemiah didn t just receive the news, exhibit momentary sorrow, and make excuses. He sat down and wept (Nehemiah 1:4). He could have made the case that life in Susa was good, that Jerusalem was too far away, and that the Jews needed a builder rather than cupbearer. Instead, the devastation brought a new purpose and direction to his heart and he took that to the Lord. Nehemiah prayed a profound prayer of adoration, confession, and commitment. God honored his prayer and sent Nehemiah off with the king s blessing to Jerusalem. Nehemiah went with passion, provisions, and purpose. Years earlier, God had allowed Ezra to lead a sizable group of Israelites, or Jews, back to Jerusalem to live once more under the Mosaic Law. Ezra had worked tirelessly to help guide the remnant back to God. Also, the temple had been rebuilt under Zerrubbabel, but the city and its wall was still lying in rubble. This not only weakened Jerusalem s defenses, but even more importantly, it dishonored Israel s God. Nehemiah purposed in his heart to bring honor and glory to Yahweh. Despite opposition and death threats, the people worked together as a team to accomplish a divinely empowered task. The wall and gates were completed in just 52 days! Nehemiah never gave up. He led by example, holding a shovel and a sword, laying brick upon brick. The dedication of the wall must have been a wonderful event. The Bible tells us that Jerusalem s rejoicing was heard far away. One can just picture the processions along the wall, the singing, and the celebration. Beautiful voices were raised to the heavens glorifying and thanking God for His provision. The theme of God s unconditional love and redemption is abundantly evident in Nehemiah. Because of disobedience, the Jews had been under foreign rule, but God continued to love them. He began bringing His children home and steadily restoring not only the broken wall, but also broken hearts. God is still in the restoring business. He still uses people who are willing to leave comfort behind to join His team and His work. What burdens you? What is your heart s desire? What is your purpose? Remember that God accomplished a great deal more in Nehemiah s life than merely promoting him from cupbearer to building contractor! Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 1
Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage preschoolers to finish puzzles they begin. Affirm children as they work together to complete the puzzles. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story. Bible Learning Center: What is It? Copies of Activity Page: What is It? (Reproducible, 1 per child) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Ask children to look at the pictures on the left hand side of the page. Explain to children that what they see in each square is only part of an object. They are to match the part of the object with the whole object on the right side of the page. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, express that each of these objects is part of today s Bible story. Explain that God used a man named Nehemiah to help the people rebuild the wall that was torn down around the city of Jerusalem. The hammer and the ladder were tools used to help rebuild the wall. The stones were stacked to make the wall, and doors were built to secure the gates to the city. Center Time Art Center: Paint a Wall Long sheet of white butcher paper Brown tempra paint and paint brushes Paper plates or plastic bowls for paint Teaching picture, Nehemiah and the Wall (Reproducible) What to Do: Draw a simple block wall across the bottom half of the paper. Print the Bible phrase, Trust in the Lord and do what is good (Psalm 37:3), across the top of the paper. Invite children to paint the wall. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers work together painting the wall, show today s teaching picture and say something like, In our Bible story today, the wall and gates of the city of Jerusalem had been torn down. God used a man named Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah trusted God to help him rebuild the wall. We can paint a wall like the one in the picture. Home Living Center: Role Play Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans; pretend food items; doll, doll bed, and doll accessories What to Do: Home living items naturally encourage children to act out roles and activities they observe at home. Link to the Bible Story: As children work and play together, listen for opportunities to talk about the Bible story, Bible phrase, or Bible truth. Block Center: Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Optional: plastic tools, tool belts, play work bench, hard hats, goggles What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Suggest that the boys and girls build a wall with the blocks or pretend to build something with the tools if they are available. Link to the Bible Story: While children are engaged in building with the blocks, listen for opportunities to share part of the Bible story, Bible phrase or Bible truth. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 2
Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture Nehemiah and the Wall (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though we find many stories in the Bible, the Bible really tells one big story, and all the little stories are a part of the big one we can call God s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture represents a chapter of God s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each part of the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story from the Bible is from one of the main chapters in God s Unfolding Story. Today s story is from the third chapter, God chose a special people. Introduce the story by saying something like, We have learned that the Jews had disobeyed God and were living far away from their homeland. Yet God still loved and cared for His special people. After they had been away from their home a long time, God began to bring His people back to Jerusalem. Sadly, it wasn t the beautiful city it had been earlier. The wall and gates of the city were all torn down. Our story today is about a prophet named Nehemiah. Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall. Listen to hear how God helped Nehemiah rebuild the broken wall. Bible Story Nehemiah and the Wall (Nehemiah 1 2; 6:15-16; 12:27,43) Nehemiah lived in the city of Susa and worked in King Artaxerxes palace. He was a special helper to the king. Everyday Nehemiah faithfully served King Artaxerxes. One day Nehemiah s brother came to visit. He told Nehemiah some sad news about the city of Jerusalem where their family had once lived. His brother said, The wall and gates surrounding the city are all fallen down. The people are in trouble. This news troubled Nehemiah. He wanted to help, but he didn t know how so he prayed and asked God what he should do. Some time later when Nehemiah was serving King Artaxerxes, the king noticed that Nehemiah looked sad. He asked Nehemiah why he was so sad. Nehemiah told the king, The city where my people lived has been destroyed and the gates are torn down. The king asked Nehemiah what he wanted to do. Nehemiah prayed and asked God what to say to the king. Then he said, Please let me go home and rebuild Jerusalem s wall and gates. The king wanted to help Nehemiah, so he allowed him to go to Jerusalem to work to repair the city. He even helped Nehemiah get the lumber he would need. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he rode around the city to see what needed to be done. Then he told the people he had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its wall and gates. He also told them he would need lots of help. People from all over helped with this huge building project. Imagine it with me. Bang! Bang! Bang! went the hammers. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! went the saws. The people worked hard, and in 52 days the wall and gates were finished. The people celebrated and worshiped God because now they had a secure wall and strong gates around their city. Nehemiah was thankful that God had used him to help do this important work. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Review by using these or similar questions. Why was Nehemiah sad? How did King Artaxerxes help Nehemiah? Did Nehemiah build the wall all by himself? How many days did it take to build the wall and the gates? What did the people do when the wall and gates were finished? 2. Read the Bible phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together; Trust in the Lord and do what is good (Psalm 37:3). Explain, Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem. He prayed and asked God to show him what to do. God helped Nehemiah know what to say to the King and to the people to get the wall rebuilt. When we ask God through prayer to show us what we need to do, He always will. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Thank God that He hears the prayers of His people and shows them what to do. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 3
Craft Time: Bible Phrase Tool Pouch Copies of Tool Pouch (Reproducible, cardstock recommended, 1 copy for every child) Crayons or markers, stapler Small paper plates What to Do: Cut out each pouch and set of tools. Cut off the top one-anda-half inches of each paper plate. Invite children to color their tool pouch and tools. Staple each tool pouch to a small paper plate to create a pocket. Children can place their tools inside the pouch. Link to the Bible Story: Remind children that Nehemiah prayed and asked God to show him what to do about the wall in Jerusalem, and God helped Nehemiah do what was good and right for the city and the people. The pouch of tools can be a reminder to pray and ask God for wisdom to know what to do each day. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time / Dismissal: Build a Wall Squares of paper or index cards, tape, marker Wooden blocks (1 per child) What to Do: Before the game, locate enough blocks for each child to have one. Print numerals for the amount of blocks needed, one numeral on each square of paper. Tape a numeral to each block. Hide the blocks around the room. Invite children to sit in a circle. Explain to children that you will play a game called Build a Wall. Ask children to search the room to find one block. After finding a block, they should return to the circle. When children return say something like, Boys and girls, we learned in our Bible story today about a man named Nehemiah who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall that had been torn down. Why do you think cities during Bible times needed walls? [Accept all responses.] Walls provided protection and boundaries for their citizens. Nehemiah knew that rebuilding the wall was something God wanted him to do. Let s play a number game to build a wall. Call out numbers and assist children in building a circle for a wall. Call out numbers for children to retrieve their blocks. If children are interested, think of other ways to line up the blocks with the numerals. Review the Bible Phrase together, Trust in the Lord and do what is good Psalm 37:3. Remind boys and girls that when they trust God, He will show them the right thing to do. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Page 4
Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 12: Prophets and Esther Lesson 3: Nehemiah and Wall Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Bible Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page, What is It? (1 copy per child) Bible Phrase Tool Pouch (1 copy for every child, cardstock recommended) Teaching Picture: Nehemiah and the Wall (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Coloring Page, Nehemiah and the Wall (1 copy per child) Additional Art Materials Brown washable tempera paint Plastic cups or bowls to hold paint Long sheet of white butcher paper Additional Block Materials Optional: plastic tools, tool belts, play work bench, hard hats, goggles Additional Craft Materials Small paper plates (1 per child) Additional Game Time Materials White paper or index cards (2 sheets or 1 card for every 2 children) Tape, marker God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A
What is It? Activity Page: What is It? Instructions: One copy per child. Use a crayon or marker to draw a line from the part of the object on the left to the whole object on the right. OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com
God s Story Cube Instructions: Cut out on dotted lines, fold on solid lines. Glue or tape to form a cube.
TOOL POUCH Trust in the LORD and do what is good. Psalm 37:3 Craft Time: Tool Pouch Instructions: Copy 1 sheet for every child. Cut out the pouch and tools. Staple the pouch to a small paper plate to create a pocket. Place the Trust in the LORD and do what is good. Psalm 37:3 tools inside the pouch. OT12 Lesson 3 Hour A Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com